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Pakistan government rejects national award nominations for Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa
Published : Thursday, 20 August, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Observer Online Report
Pakistan’s federal government has rejected nominations for the prestigious national civilian award Sitara-i-Imtiaz for two of the country’s leading actors, Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa, according to Sindh’s Culture and Tourism Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the eight-day “Wes-Dhari Sindhi Theatre Festival 2026” in Karachi, Zulfiqar Shah said the Sindh Culture Department had twice recommended the names of Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa for the award.
He said the nominations were made based on recommendations from a committee comprising prominent personalities. However, the federal government rejected the proposals without providing any clear explanation or reason.
The minister questioned why the two celebrated actors from Sindh were not recognised at the national level despite their significant contributions to Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
Highlighting the achievements of artists from Sindh, Zulfiqar Shah said performers from the province had established a strong reputation not only in Pakistan but also in India and the Gulf countries.
He stressed that Sindhi artists had played an important role in promoting Pakistan’s cultural heritage beyond the country’s borders. He specifically mentioned Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa for their contributions as artists who have represented Pakistan on international platforms.
The minister urged the federal government to give greater importance to the country’s cultural sector and its artists.
“I would urge the federal government to take artists and the country’s cultural sector seriously,” he said.
Zulfiqar Shah reiterated that the failure to confer a prestigious honour such as the Sitara-i-Imtiaz on the two stars highlights what he described as a lack of adequate federal recognition and support for artists in Pakistan’s cultural and entertainment sectors.
He said prominent artists from Sindh had brought honour to the entire country and therefore deserved appropriate recognition at the national level.
Source: Samaa TV
-HIS
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
